By 2367, she transferred to the USS Aries. In 2367 the virus which had infected Mendez began to take effect, compelling her to return to Tarchannen III. Without warning she stole the shuttlepodCousteau from the Aries and flew to the planet; her crewmates reporting that she seemed perfectly normal just an hour before her disappearance.

By the time the crew of the USS Enterprise-D had determined the cause of her flight, it was too late to save her as the metamorphosis had completed and thereby made the changes irreversible. (TNG: "Identity Crisis")

Emilita Mendez was played by a background actress with the last name Di Santis.